You want to be a better social dancer. I want you to be a better social dancer. Other dancers want you to be a better social dancer. Now that we are all on the same page, why is it so hard to accomplish this goal? I’ll tell you why, it’s because you haven’t taken the 5 necessary steps to become a better social dancer. I’m here to help. No matter where you are or what type of dance you want to improve at. This article is specific to partner dancing, but it can apply to just about any type of dancing. Let’s get into it!
If I had a quarter for every time I was asked how to improve one’s level of social dancing, I would be able to plug a lot of parking meters. The standard answer (“Don’t worry about it, just keep doing it and you will be better with time.”) is usually used to avoid giving an answer that might conflict with what the person has been told from other instructors. It’s the safe answer.
Rumor is that a pedestrian on Fifty-seventh Street, Manhattan, stopped world-renowned violinist, Jascha Heifetz, and inquired,
“Could you tell me how to get to Carnegie Hall?”
“Yes,” said Heifetz. “Practice!”
While this gets a chuckle, what advice do you give to the person that really wants to ultimately play at Carnegie Hall? “Keep practicing” is not a path, it’s an order without direction. What if they are practicing the wrong pieces? What if they are practicing without proper posture? Any teacher that just says “Do it again” is not going to create a painter, musician, writer, athlete or dancer. There must be goals, guidelines, points to improve, and measurable improvement. So your goal is to be a better social dancer? Here’s how to do it.
Very good article,The number one problem is you get to a level and plateau this is where you need the experienced dancers to practice with to get better however they are too overwhelmed with dancers who want to dance with them,and some donot want to dance with you because you are not at there level.the challenge should how many new dancers can you lead and get them to do exactly what you want them to do and make it look effortless
A really good insight! And from a great social dancer too! Had a pleasure to dance with you once in Krakow – it was effortless (despite significant hight difference) and smooth. Great stuff!
Best,
Eva
Great article! Thanks for posting. I’ve been doing all of these over the last couple of years but I live in a city with limited salsa resources. What can one do when they’ve exhausted all the professional help they that’s available in the city? (actually there’s no one close outside my city either)
Thanks…and yes, there is a link back to this article.
Thanks for giving these great tips! As a new salsa dancer, I’m loving my classes and my Monday nights out and really need tips to look as smooth as some ladies I see! I always ask the guys to honestly critique me (I’m like their salsa baby now! Lol!) But I’ll try the video next!
Great Article, Shaka! Especially believe #4 and #5 helps alot. Once someone see themselves dancing, they will identify their problems QUICK instead of accepting baseless “compliments” from other dancers, LOL!
Hey there Guno, I don’t mind at all. Please include a link back to this website, in case people want to view the full article, and have an opportunity to leave comments as well.
Thanks for the sharing, Shaka. I am a student of Jack Dunn in Beijing and I did a summary of your 5 tips to become a better social dancer in Chinese and share them with dancers here in China. Hope you won’t mind.
Absolutely LOVEEEEEEEEE these tips! Being in the salsa scene socially for 6+ years….I myself had to take steps like these to become better for myself first and others. I did have to become part of a dance studio to get the professional teaching I need while still dancing socially:)!
Glad to help Nestor! Looking forward to seeing how your development comes along, shoot me a link to a video and I’ll see if I can give you some pointers.
sGB
Thanks Shaka for putting this together!!! I have asked my friends to take videos of me social dancing and they tought it was kind of weird even when I explained my strategy. I will show them your recommendations.
Thanks very much!
always stand on the ball of your feet and take small steps, Only stride when necessary. I am teaching the same small steps in tennis.